SELBYVILLE, DE — Earlier today, Mountaire Farms hosted its 29th annual 'Thanksgiving for Thousands' food drive, a significant event aiming to provide free, packaged meals for those in need during the holiday season.
The Delaware air was filled with the spirit of giving as hundreds of volunteers from across the Eastern Shore gathered to pack meals for families facing food insecurity this Thanksgiving in Selbyville.
Zach Evans, representing Mountaire Farms, said it was an incredible turnout,
"We had over 300 volunteers register for today's event, with walk-ups as well, because people were so excited to participate. We estimate we have at least 325 volunteers helping pack boxes, and that doesn't account for the over 200 assisting in delivering the boxes." said Evans.
Diverse groups, including school clubs, local businesses, and charitable organizations, joined forces in a collective effort to pack a variety of food items such as cranberry sauce, chicken, beans, and more. The packed meals will be delivered to local nonprofits for distribution. Mountaire Farms expects to feed over 14,000 people on Delmarva and 152,000 across the county through this initiative.
Local volunteers on the peninsula emphasized the importance of ensuring that no one should have to worry about their next meal, particularly during the Thanksgiving holidays.
"Anytime is a good time to give, but especially during the Thanksgiving holidays. It's a nice time of the year to be volunteering and giving a meal to a family," shared Chris Burke.
Even young volunteers, such as Taylor and Zarkyah from Indian River High School, recognized the significance of the event.
"This is a time where you really want to be with your family and be together with everyone, celebrating the holidays with the people you love, eating a good meal."
The event in Selbyville was one of four that took place today, with three others held in North Carolina. Organizers expressed their yearly hope to expand further, reaching more families in need during the holiday season.
